whose mind is too loose to carry out a strong resolution. Nevertheless, if Your Honours urge me, well[1], you may learn from me what one of the said expedients is.
8. 'In the law-precepts for the time of distress[2] theft is an approved livelihood for Brâhmans; and poverty, I suppose, is the extreme distress in this world. Consequently, it is no sin for us to enjoy the wealth of others, and the whole of these goods belongs, of a truth, to the Brâhmans.
9. 'Men such as you, would doubtlessly be able to seize on wealth even by violence. You should, however, not practise that mode of taking, minding your reputation. Therefore, you must show your energy in lonely places and times.'
By such language he loosened the bridle from his disciples. Accordingly they exclaimed 'Very well,' approving his bad words, as if they were good, and all of them engaged themselves to do so, all—save the Bodhisattva.
10. Him his innate goodness forbade to comply with the teacher's advice, and compelled him on the contrary to oppose it without delay, though it had been accepted as a duty by the other pupils.
Ashamed and with downcast looks he heaved a soft sigh and remained silent. The teacher perceived that the Bodhisattva did not approve of that fashion of making money, without, however, crying it down; and as he had a high regard for the virtue of that Great Being, he entered upon this reflection: 'For what reason does he disapprove of theft? Is it want of
- ↑ Instead of sâdhuh we must read sâdhu.
- ↑ Read âpaddharme steyam, &c. The âpaddharma substitutes for the precepts of right conduct and right livelihood some others to be followed in times of distress, if the primary ones cannot be observed. The permission to Brâhmans to make money by theft is of course not lawful; it is inferred from the well-known pretension of the Brâhmanical caste to be owners of the whole earth. Even Sarvilaka, the thief in the Mrikkhakatikâ, does not venture to defend his deeds by arguments borrowed from the law-books; he avows that theft is blameable, 'I blame it,' says he, 'and yet I do it.'
